High Water Sweeps Across Western Pennsylvania
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Several warnings were issued for parts of Western Pennsylvania as storms moved through.
A tornado warning was issued for Greene County, expiring at 8:30 p.m. and around 10:30 p.m., a state of emergency was declared in Connellsville and several area schools were delayed, or closed as a result.
CASD is closed for Monday August 29th. The mayor of Connellsville just declared a state of emergency.
— CASD Supt. Martell (@PhilipPmartell) August 29, 2016
Allegheny County and several others were placed under a severe thunderstorm warning or flood warning. These are likely to change, so click here for the latest alerts.
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Severe thunderstorms in Pittsburgh & surrounding municipalities, particularly those in central and eastern part of county
— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) August 28, 2016
Allegheny County officials provided road closure updates on Twitter.
Heavy rain, wind and hail were reported across the area.
@CBSPittsburgh @weatherchannel pic.twitter.com/eTBiDaVrMX
— Ben Cohn (@CohneyIsland) August 28, 2016
Washington Boulevard was shut down due to flooding. The warning gates, and flashing lights that are supposed to alert the public there was a problem were not activated. The gates, which were seemingly replaced just over a week ago - did not activate.
Emergency personnel did arrive and attempt to block the road, but not in time to stop the two vehicles caught in rising water.
"That gate is physically replaced the police officers themselves came up and blocked the road. There was a further blockage up the road. I had my car in the middle of the road further up. That being said, that is still a physical release of the gate, and we are doing some additional testing in the future to make sure they there's an electronic response that makes those gates close automatically," said Kevin Acklin with the Mayor's office.
A total of four people were rescued, none were seriously injured. Officials say the heavy rain also caused the roadway to buckle and forced at least one manhole to come out.
Four people were killed when flood waters rose quickly on Washington Boulevard in August of 2011.
Sections of East Liberty Boulevard were closed, and 2nd Avenue near Bates Street was a problem area as well.
"It was raining and the water came up too high, and vehicles were blinding me, next thing you know it was too late to turn around and I was floating down the road," said Brandon McGuire, his daughter agreeing it was frightening.
Viewers sent in several photos and videos showing the streets under water.
Bates at Second Avenue. Cars flooded pic.twitter.com/rj1iFe8pvL
— Lynne Hayes-Freeland (@PghLynne) August 29, 2016
